News | Lenoir-Rhyne University

Rhyne Building in winter with snow on the ground

Lenoir-Rhyne to require COVID-19 booster shot

Lenoir-Rhyne University will require the COVID-19 booster vaccine for all eligible faculty, staff and students on its Hickory, Asheville and Columbia campuses. Eligible individuals are those who are at least six months beyond the date of their second shot of the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine or two months past their Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

A masked student holds out a thank you postcard to the camera

Giving Tuesday 2021 recap

Lenoir-Rhyne celebrates the success of Giving Tuesday, an annual global giving movement for the causes and organizations we care most about

Student writes in condolences book before memorial service for Omari Alexander

LR campus community mourns unexpected death of Omari Alexander

Lenoir-Rhyne University is grieving the loss of one of our student-athletes. Omari Alexander, a 19-year-old sophomore from Concord, North Carolina and member of the LR football team, was killed overnight on November 20 in an off-campus incident in Hickory.

Group of students walking across campus to class

Lenoir-Rhyne to receive $4.3 million from state budget

Lenoir-Rhyne University will receive $4.3 million as part of the North Carolina state budget that was signed into law on November 18.

While wearing a mask, Zakiya Ruth, left, writes on a whiteboard on the table while looking at a student who has her back to the camera.

Education student uses service to others as forefront of experience

Growing up, junior education major Zakiya Ruth was raised to be selfless and help others. Now as part of the Teaching Scholars program, she is tutoring students in the classroom.

Hubbard and Sanford '13 named to Hickory’s Top 10 Under 40

Leah Beth Hubbard, special assistant to the president for strategic initiatives, has been named to this year’s Top 10 Under 40 list by the Hickory Young Professionals.

Noah Jenkins wears a lab coat and safety glasses in an indoor lab

New perspective brought to LR community by veteran

After serving his country as a former medic with the 101st Airborne, Noah Jenkins is paving his way in academics and relationships at LR. With sights on a future career in pharmaceuticals or even more education, he is working toward a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry.

Passion for psychiatric nursing put into action

Post high school, veteran student Anthony Guy initially served in the United States Navy. He completed an additional 11 years of service and survived an explosion – being medically discharged, Guy uses his military benefits to pursue a degree in nursing.

Amy Sain, right, pours liquid from a beaker while masked in a lab

Navy veteran finds fulfillment in obtaining college degree

Transitioning from her service in the Navy to higher education, Amy Sain worked as a Master-at-Arms, or MP, at the Naval Air Station Oceana. Now she is working toward a bachelor’s degree in biology as part of her path to achieve her childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian.

Amy Sain, third from left, stands outside with her fellow Navy men outside in front of a ship

Veterans find place and purpose at Lenoir-Rhyne

As America celebrates Veterans Day, several veteran students are making their impact at Lenoir-Rhyne. Their years of service provide a depth of experience to the Bear community, and their lives enrich the communities in which they live.

All-American and all-time scoring record holder Eric Dickinson ’21 holds up the South Atlantic Conference championship trophy.

One to Remember

The men’s lacrosse team makes a historic run to the national championship game in spring 2021 season.

Taylor Newton, Ph.D., far right, stands with a group of student volunteers at an outdoor event.

England, Elections and Vaccines: Professor Taylor Newton devoted to service in time of need

Professor Taylor Newton, Ph.D., had been approved to spend a year as a visiting researcher at the University of Birmingham before the pandemic. Instead, she used the time to address vaccine hesitancy in Catawba County and throughout the state.